Southampton line up Mark Hughes for rescue job

Hughes spent part of his playing career at SouthamptonDave Thompson/PA

Southampton hope to appoint Mark Hughes as their new manager before Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final away to Wigan Athletic. The Welshman was identified as the club’s preferred replacement even before the decision was taken to sack Mauricio Pellegrino on Monday evening.

Southampton have been considering their options for some time due to their dreadful recent form under Pellegrino, who won just one of his last 17 Premier League matches in charge. Saturday’s 3-0 defeat by relegation rivals Newcastle United brought his nine-month reign to an abrupt end.

Hughes’s experience in the Premier League counts strongly in his favour — as does his availability after being sacked by Stoke City in January. Hughes has never been relegated as a manager in a varied career with Blackburn Rovers,…